Single-vend dispensing machine

ABSTRACT

A single vend periodical dispensing machine configured for use with a coin operated mechanism for dispensing a single item during each cycle of operation. The dispensing machine includes a cabinet housing and periodical support means comprising an elevator platform, means, elevator lift means and elevator release means operatively disposed therein. The elevator release means engages the elevator lift means to relieve the pressure on the stack of periodicals being dispensed to prevent excessive pressure when in dispensing position to facilitate withdrawal from the machine through a dispensing opening. The dispensing machine also includes a thickness control means to control the size of the dispensing opening as the thickness of the periodical varies. In addition, a loading access door is pivotally attached to the top of the cabinet housing and arranged relative to the elevator platform means to permit leading of the periodicals thereon. A dispensing access door is pivotally attached to the front of the cabinet housing to permit withdrawal of the periodical through the dispensing opening. The loading access door houses a dispensing control means arranged relative to the dispensing opening to limit dispensing of a single item each cycle such that when the proper coins are inserted into the coin operated mechanism the dispensing door is released, unlocking the control means to dispense a periodical.

United States Patent 1 Knickerbocker SlNGLE-VEND DISPENSING MACHINE [76]Inventor: Karl Knickerbocker, 400 Baycrest Dr., Venice, Fla. 33595 [22]Filed: May 18, 1973 [21] Appl. No.2 361,639

52 us. c1, 221/227 51 Int. Cl. B65g 59/02 [58] Field of Search 221/227,241, 251; 194/155, 51, 65, 59, 2, 10

[56] References Cited- UNITED STATES PATENTS 839,304 12/1906 Long221/241 X 2,522,033 9/1950 Graham 221/251 X 2,984,326 5/1961 Westphal l194/59 3,136,451 6/1964 Deane 221/241 X 3,263,859 8/1966 Searle 1 1221/227 3,318,478 5/1967 Hart 221/227 Primary Examiner-Stanley H.Tollberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Stein, Orman & Fisher [57 ABSTRACT Asingle vend periodical dispensing machine configured for use with a coinoperated mechanism for dis- 1111 3,831,809 Aug. 27, 1974 pensing asingle item during each cycle of operation. The dispensing machineincludes a cabinet housing and periodical support means comprising anelevator platform, means, elevator lift means and elevator release meansoperatively disposed therein. The elevator release means engages theelevator lift means to relieve the pressure on the stack of periodicalsbeing dispensed to prevent excessive pressure when in dispensingposition to facilitate withdrawal from the machine through a dispensingopening. The dispensing machine also includes a thickness control meansto control the size of the dispensing opening as the thickness of theperiodical varies. In addition, a loading access door is pivotallyattached to the top of the cabinet housing and arranged relative to theelevator platform means to permit leading of the periodicals thereon. Adispensing access door is pivotally attached to the front of the cabinethousing to permit withdrawal of the periodical through the dispensingopening. The loading access door houses a dispensing control meansarranged relative to the dispensing opening to limit dispensing of asingle item each cycle such that when the proper coins are inserted intothe coin operated mechanism the dispensing door is released, unlockingthe control means to dispense a periodical.

13 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENTEnmnzmu SHEEF 20! 3 PAIENTED M23.831.809

sum 3 or a FIG. IO

SINGLE-VEND DISPENSING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe Invention The present invention relates to a single vend periodicaldispensing mechanism for dispensing newspapers, magazines, or the like,in such a manner that only a single newspaper or periodical is dispensedfrom the dispensing mechanism during each dispensing cycle when theproper coins are inserted into the coin operated mechanism.

2. Description of the Prior Art A number of newspaper racks and the likehave been developed to provide a means of vending such items without thenecessity of an attendant.

The earliest type of rack comprises simple support type racks orstructures. Although these racks were extremely inexpensive tomanufacture and maintain, the items were generally exposed to theelements and easily pilfered without payment for the items.

The next generation of racks generally comprised enclosed coin operatedvending machines. Since the items were commonly enclosed within acabinet, they were protected from the elements. However, access into thecabinet during the dispensing cycle permitted removal of all theremaining items. Thus, even these coin operated vending machines weresubject to pilfermg.

More recently, various attempts have been made to develop single vendcoin operated vending machines to permit dispensing only a single itemduring each operating cycle. These single vend machines may becharacterized as either vertical or horizontal feed type devices.Unfortunately, the horizontal feed devices comprise complicated feed andactuating mechanisms which are expensive to both manufacture andmaintain. On the other hand, the weight of the vertical stack of itemsin the vertical type feed device commonly necessitates the use ofelaborate bias and release mechanisms which attendant costs ofmanufacture and assembly.

Thus, there is an obvious need for an inexpensive, highly reliablesingle vend newspaper/periodical dispensing machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a single vendperiodical dispensing mechanism. More specifically, the dispensingmechanism comprises a support frame having a cabinet housing attachedthereto to house a vertical stack of newspapers or other periodicals tobe dispensed. A dispensing access door and loading access door arepivotally attached to the front and top of the cabinet housingrespectively, as more fully described hereinafter.

A periodical support means is movably mounted on the support frame toposition the periodicals in the dispensing position. The periodicalsupport means comprises a substantially horizontal elevator platformmeans to support the stack of periodicals, elevator lift means coupledto support-the frame to operatively position the stack of periodicalsrelative to a dispensing opening for dispensing and elevator releasemeans to permit dispensing of the periodicals.

The dispensing machine includes a thickness gauge means arrangedrelative to the support frame to vary the size of the dispensing openingto permit withdrawal of a single periodical during each dispensingcycle. The dispensing machine also includes a dispensing control meansincluding locking means to limit withdrawal of a single periodicalduring each cycle.

In operation, the periodical support means acting on the stack ofnewspapers or periodicals within the cabinet housing forces theuppermost periodical in the stack into dispensing alignment relative tothe dispensing opening. When the dispensing access door is swung open,the top newspaper or periodical in the cabinet is released fordispensing or removal by the elevator release means. The elevatorrelease means relieves the tension on the stack of periodicals toprevent excessive pressure on the periodical in dispensing position topermit free and easy withdrawal from the mechanism while at the sametime exerting sufficient pressure to always maintain the uppermostperiodical in the dispensing position.

When the top newspaper or the like is removed from the cabinet, allremaining newspapers are locked in the cabinet housing by the dispensingcontrol means. Thereafter, a new cycle, starting with the insertion ofthe proper combination of coins to release the paper dispenser door forthe dispensing or withdrawal of additional newspapers, is required.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of thenature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dispenser cabinet.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional front'view of the dispenser cabinet.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional rear view of the dispenser cabinet. 7

FIG. 4 is a partial cut-away view showing the dispenser cabinetinterior.

FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional side 'view of the dispensercabinet.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view in partial section of the pressure reliefmechanism.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of theelevator platform guide.

FIG. 8 is a detailed end view of the elevator platform guide.

FIG. 9 is a partial side view of the dispenser cabinet.

FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the dispensing control means.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED I EMBODIMENT As best shown inFIGS. 1 and 4, the present invention comprises a dispensing machinegenerally indicated as 10 including a support frame 12 and cabinethousing 14 attached thereto. The cabinet housing 14 includes front andrear walls 16 and 18 respectively and side walls 20 and 22 respectivelyheld in fixed position relative to each other by rectangular base 24.Dispensing access door 26 including handle means 28 and door extension30 is pivotally attached to front wall 16 by hinge 32. Dispensing accessdoor 26 is normally biased to the closed position by closing springs(not shown) such that door extension 30 engages front wall 16 (FIG. 1).Release actuating means comprising member 34 is attached to dispensingaccess door 26. A transparent display window 36.may be formed on frontwall 16. Also formed in front wall 16 are coin receiving means 38, coinreturn actuator and coin return receiver 42. Loading access door 44comprising a substantially flat horizontal rear portion 46 and enlargedforward portion 48 to house a dispensing control means, to be more fullydescribed hereinafter, is pivotally attached to upper portion of rearwall 18 by hinges 50 (FIG. 3). Loading access door lock 52 is alsohoused within enlarged forward portion 48 to lock loading access door 44closed. Guide opening 54 and transparent newspaper display window 56, asmore fully described hereinafter, are formed in loading access door 44.A limit means comprising a flexible chain 58 is interconnected betweenloading access door 44 and side wall 20 (FIG. 4) to limit the movementof door 44 relative to cabinet housing 14.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the support frame 12 comprises upperrectangular member 60 and base 24 held in fixed position relative toeach other by forward and rear side panels 62 and 64 disposed on eitherside of cabinet housing 14.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the dispenser cabinet with front wall 16removed to show the thickness control means similar to that described inmy patent application Ser. No. 3,623 filed l-l9-l970.

The thickness control means includes a vertically disposed rectangularchannel 66 having stiffeners 68 and 70 rigidly secured thereto by.brackets 72. Channel 66 and stiffeners 68 and 70 are rigidly secured tohorizontal channel 74 attached to base 24. Rod 70 may be adjusted toovercome inaccuracies encountered in manufacturing, obtaining an evendispensing opening means 76 cooperatively formed between the top of thethickness control means and the bottom of loading access door 44. Sincethe purchaser manually withdraws the periodical through this opening 76it is important that this opening 76 be adjustable to a height that willpermit the withdrawal of only one periodical at a time.

The thickness control means also includes a thickness actuating assemblycomprising horizontal channel 74, vertical angle section 76 and verticalangle section 78. One end of walking beam 80 is pivotally attached tovertical angle section 76 by fastener 82. Walking beam 80 is alsopivotally-connected to channel 66 by fastener 84. The opposite end ofwalking beam 80 is held against vertical angle section 78 by guide strap86. The upper and lower ends of strap 86 are secured to vertical anglesection 78 by fastners 88. Space bushings (not shown) located betweenvertical angle section 78 and strap 86, provide space for the accuratetravel of walking beam 80. The walking beam 80 is shown in phantom as80a in the locked position. Index plate 90 is pivotally mounted at thelower end of vertical angle section 78 by fastener 92 while the top endis held in position by retainer strap 94 secured to vertical anglesection 78 by fasteners 96. Spacer bushings (not shown) located betweenvertical angle section 78 and retainer strap 94 provide space for theswinging movement of the top end of index plate 90. Expansion spring 98has one end secured to tab 100 formed on index plate 90 and the oppositeend secured to vertical angle section 78 to swing clockwise away fromwalking beam 80. Index plate 90 includes a plurality of locking teeth102 for locking walking beam 80 by cooperative engagement of tongue 10formed on walking beam 80 between teeth 102 to lock channel 66 in thedesired position. Index plate 90 is held in position by member 106,which is swingably mounted to vertical angle section 78. Member 106 isinterconnected to a lock means (not shown) by an actuating linkage 108to move index plate 90 between locked or unlocked position. The lockmeans may be unlocked by actuating linkage 108 to allow member 106 tomove upward away from index plate 90 permitting clockwise movement ofindex plate 90 to disengage tongue 104 of walking beam 80 from teeth 102to adjust channel 66. i

To operate the thickness control means so that only one periodical canbe withdrawn from dispensing machine at a time, the operator unlockslock means to free index plate 90, freeing the thickness actuatingassembly for adjustment. The operator'then manually pulls the topperiodical forward several inches. To adjust the width of the dispensingopening 72 the operator manually raises channel 66 upward until the topend presses against the bottom of the partially pulled out periodical,then locks the entire assembly in position. With the thickness controlmeans in the locked position, the dispensing opening 72 is just wideenough to allow withdrawal of a single periodical.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bottom of loading access door 44showing a portion of the dispensing control means. As previouslydescribed, loading access door 44 comprises enlarged forward portion 48and horizontal flat rear portion 46'. A pair of substantiallyrectangular apertures 110 are formed on the bottom 1120f door 44 onopposite sides of guide opening 54. A pair of tripping plates 114pivotally mounted on shaft 116 are arranged to operatively extendthrough apertures 110. As more fully described hereinafter, a secondpair of substantially rectangular apertures 118 are formed in bottom112. A pair of locking plates 120 are arranged to operatively extendthrough apertures 118. The dispensing control means further includes areset means comprising reset plate 122 interconnected to locking plates120 by reset plate shaft 124 and aperture 126.

As shown in FIG. 10, the uppermost paper A in the dispensing portion isdisposed to engage and actuate the dispensing control means. To operate,paper A is manually withdrawn from cabinet 14 through opening 72 (FIG.2). Tripping plates 114 normally extend outward through apertures 110 infront of the uppermost paper A. As the paper A is withdrawn, trippingplates are cammed inwardly and out of the path of the paper I A movinglocking plates 120 across dispensing opening 72 to prevent removal ofadditional papers. When the proper coin or combination of coins isinserted in the coin mechanism, dispensing access. door 26 is unlatched,allowing door 26 to be swung open to paper access position. When door 26is opened, reset plate 124 is actuated causing locking plates 120 toswing from the paper lock-in position across the paper removal opening72, and come to rest in unlocked position and extend tripping plates 114to allow authorized removal of a paper from the dispenser machine 10.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the periodical support means comprises asubstantially horizontal elevator platform means 128, elevator guides130, elevator guide rails 132, ladder chain 134 and elevator liftsprings 136.

As best shown in FIGS. 7 an 8, elevator guides comprise inner'and outerplates 138 and 140 respectively held in substantially parallel relationto each other by connecting rods 142 disposed at each of the fourcorners. Rotatably mounted on each of the connecting rods 142 is guideroller 144 held in spaced relation to plates 138 and 140 by spacers 146.Inner plate 138 is fixedly attached to elevator platform means 128 bystud 148. An elevator guide rail 132 extends vertically on either sideof the frame between base 24 and upper side frame member 60. Guide rails132 comprise a substantially flat bar 148 with stiffener channels 150extending the length thereof. The width of bar 148 relative to thehorizontal separation of rollers 144 is such that rollers 144 engageopposite sides of bar 148 to guide the vertical movement of the elevatorplatform means 128. One end of ladder chain 134 is coupled to elevatormeans by stud 152 and at the opposite end to elevator lift spring 136.

As best shown in FIG. 3, periodical support means further includes idlerrollers 154. Elevator lift springs 136 operatively engage idler rollers154 and are fastened to the frame by interconnecting shaft 158 byfastening means 160.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 through 6, the actuating means comprisesactuating linkage 162 and elevator release means generally indicated as164. The purpose of the elevator release means 164 is to relieve the upward pressure exerted between the elevator platform means 128 with theperiodicals stored thereon and the bottom 112 of door 44 by elevatorlift springs 136. Elevator release means 164 comprises ratchet 166,drive sprocket 168 and crank means 170 mounted to frame member 60 byinterconnecting shaft 172. A ratchet pawl 174 is mounted on crank means170 by mounting stud 176 and held in spaced relation thereto by spacer178. The outer end of mounting stud 176 is operatively coupled to doorextension 34 by actuating linkage 162 (FIG. 5). Elevator release means164 further includes camming plate 180 attached to side panel 64.Camming plate 180 is interconnected to crank means 170, by spring 182 tonormally bias elevator release means 164 to the forward most position(FIG. 4) such that pawl 174 engages plate 180 to cam pawl 174 out ofengagement with ratchet 166. An idler sprocket 184 similar to drivesprocket 168 is mounted on the opposite end of interconnecting shaft 172which extends the width of the cabinet 14 (FIG. 9). In addition, a pairof idler sprockets 186 are mounted on opposite sides of upper framemember 60. The outer end of shaft 172 is mounted on bearing 188 (FIG.6).

Normally, pawl 174 is held out of operative engagement with ratchet 166by plate 180. To operate, dispensing access door 26 is pivoted opencausing linkage 162 to move rearwardly rotating crank means 170 torevolve clockwise about shaft 172. As crank means 170 rotates clockwise,pawl 174 engages ratchet 166 causing shaft 172 to rotate clockwise. Asshaft 172 rotates clockwise, drive sprocket 168 rotates pulling ladderchain 134 upward allowing elevator platform means 128 to move downwardto relieve the pressure created by elevator shaft springs 136. Sinceidler sprocket 184 is coupled to shaft 172, the opposite ladder chain134 is simultaneously drawn upward relieving pressure on the oppositeside of elevator platform means 128. As dispensing access door 26 isreturned to the normally closed position, pawl 174 is cammed out ofengagement with ratchet 166 allowing elevator lift springs 136 toelevate elevator platform means 128 upward to move the upper mostperiodical A in dispensing position relative to dispensing opening means72.

To load, the operator opens loading access door 44 and removes unsoldperiodicals, if any, and reloads the dispensing machine 10 with thecurrent issue by placing the periodicals on the elevator platform means128. The elevator platform means 128 and the periodical slope thereon,is forced downward as the periodicals are loaded will maintain thedesired down position and facilitate the unobstructed loading ofadditional periodicals.

After loading, the loading access door 44 is closed and locked toprevent unauthorized removal of the periodicals therefrom.

With the dispensing access door 26 opened, the operator adjusts thethickness control means as previously described. Once the dispensingaccess door 26 is closed, the machine is ready for normal operation.

To operate, the proper selection of coin is inserted into the coinreceiving means 38 which permits the opening of dispensing access door26. As previously described, as the door is opened the actuating meansrelieves the upward pressure exerted by the elevator lift springs 136permitting withdrawal of the uppermost periodical. It should be notedthat guide aperture 54 permits the insertion of a hand below theenlarged portion 48. As the upper most periodical is withdrawn from thedispensing machine 10 the dispensing control means locks the remainingpapers in place as previously described. As the dispensing access door26 is returned to a normally closed position, all remaining periodicalsare locked in the cabinet housing 14. Thereafter, a new cycle startingwith the insertion of the proper combination of coins repeats theprocess.

It will thus be seen that the objects made apparent from the precedingdescription, are efficiently attained and,-since certain changes may bemade in the above construction without departing from the scope of theinvention, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawing, shall be interpretedas illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described,

What is claimed is:

1. A single vend periodical dispensing machine primarilydesigned for usewith a coin operated mechanism mounted thereon, said dispensing machinecomprising a support frame, a cabinet housing attached thereto, saidcabinet housing comprising an enclosure. to house periodicals to bedispensedand access means to permit withdrawal of periodicals from saidcabinet housing, elevator platform means movably mounted on said supportframe in supporting relation to periodicals to be dispensed, dispensingopening means arranged above said support means to limit withdrawal ofperiodicals through said access means, positioning means disposed toengage said elevator platform means to position periodicals incommunicating relation with said dispensing opening means, saidpositioning means comprising at least'one bias means interconnectedbetween said support frame and said elevator platform means, said biasmeans disposed relative to said support frame and elevator platformmeans to bias the periodicals between said elevator platform means andsaid cabinet housing, said one bias means comprising an expansion springmounted on a roller means rotatably attached to said support frame,dispensing control means disposed in engageable relation to a periodicalbeing dispensed and in communicating relation to said dispensing openingmeans whereby the withdrawal of periodicals through said dispensingopening is controlled.

2. The periodical dispensing machine of claim 1 further includingadjustment means attached to said dispensing'opening means to controlthe size of said dispensing opening.

3. The periodical dispensing machine of claim 1 wherein said accessmeans comprises a dispensing access door pivotally attached to saidcabinet housing.

4. The periodical dispensing machine of claim 1 wherein said supportmeans comprises an elevator platform means disposed substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said cabinet housing.

5. The periodical dispensing machine of claim 1 wherein said rollermeans is rotatably attached to the lower portion of said support frame,said expansion spring attached at one end to a portion of said supportframe and at the opposite end to said elevator platform means, aflexible interconnecting means disposed to interconnect the opposite endto said elevator platform means, said expansion spring disposed toengage said roller means along the mid-portion thereof to form asubstantially U-shaped contour in said expansion spring.

6. The periodical dispensing machine of claim 1 wherein said positioningmeans further includes release means in operative engagement with saidbias means, said elevator platform means movably mounted relative tosaid cabinet housing by means of said bias means whereby removal of aperiodical from said dispensing opening is permitted.

7. The periodical dispensing machine of claim 6 v wherein said releasemeans comprises a first sprocket means, sprocket actuating meansoperatively attached to said support frame, said first sprocket meansarranged to engage said bias means and said sprocket actuating meansinterconnected to-said access means, said sprocket actuating meansdisposed in engageable relation with said first sprocket means to movesaid elevator means whereby dispensing of a periodical from saiddispensing machine when saiddispensing access means is open relative tosaid cabinet housing is accomplished.

8. The periodical dispensing machine of claim 7 wherein said sprocketactuating means comprises a ratchet means coupled to said first sprocketmeans and paw] means pivotally fixed to an actuating member, saidratchet means movably disposed to move into and out of operativeengagement with said sprocket means upon movement of said cabinethousing.

9. The periodical dispensing machine of claim 8 wherein said releasemeans further includes cam means affixed to said frame and bias meansconnected between said cam means and said actuating member such thatsaid pawl is operatively disengaged from said ratchet when said accessdoor is closed relative to said cabinet housing and in operativeengagement with said ratchet rotating said sprocket means relative tosaid support frame to move said elevator platform means relative to saidcabinet housing and said dispensing opening means to permit dispensing aperiodical.

10. The periodical dispensing machine of claim 9 wherein said supportframe comprises an upper and lower support member held in fixed positionrelative to each other by rigid interconnecting members and wherein saiddispensing machine further includes a pair of substantially parallelguide rails attached to opposite sides of said upper and lower supportmembers, said elevator platform means includes a pair of elevator,guides attached to opposite sides thereof, each said elevator guidesdisposed to engage one of said guide rails to guide the verticalmovement of said elevator platform means.

11. The periodical dispensing machine of claim 10 wherein each of saidelevator guides comprises at least two guide rollers held in fixedspaced relation to each other by a cross member, said spaced relationbeing such that said rollers engage opposite sides of said guide rails.

12. The periodical dispensing machine of claim 11 wherein said releasemeans includes a second sprocket means attached to said support frame insubstantially the same vertical plane relative to said first sprocketmeans, said second sprocket means arranged relative to said guiderollers to control the vertical movement of said guide rollers tocontrol the vertical movement of said elevator platform means.

13. The periodical dispensing machine of claim 4 wherein said cabinethousing includes an opening in the top thereof and further includes aloading access door pivotally attached to said cabinet housing, topermit access to said cabinet housing through said opening, said loadingaccess door arranged relative to said periodical support means wherebyperiodicals are loaded onto said periodical support means when saidloading access door is open relative to said housing.

1. A single vend periodical dispensing machine primarily designed foruse with a coin operated mechanism mounted thereon, said dispensingmachine comprising a support frame, a cabinet housing attached thereto,said cabinet housing comprising an enclosure to house periodicals to bedispensed and access means to permit withdrawal of periodicals from saidcabinet housing, elevator platform means movably mounted on said supportframe in supporting relation to periodicals to be dispensed, dispensingopening means arranged above said support means to limit withdrawal ofperiodicals through said access means, positioning means disposed toengage said elevator platform means to position periodicals incommunicating relation with said dispensing opening means, saidpositioning means comprising at least one bias means interconnectedbetween said support frame and said elevator platform means, said biasmeans disposed relative to said support frame and elevator platformmeans to bias the periodicals between said elevator platform means andsaid cabinet housing, said one bias means comprising an expansion springmounted on a roller means rotatably attached to said support frame,dispensing control means disposed in engageable relation to a periodicalbeing dispensed and in communicating relation to said dispensing openingmeans whereby the withdrawal of periodicals through said dispensingopening is controlled.
 2. The periodical dispensing machine of claim 1further including adjustment means attached to said dispensing openingmeans to control the size of said dispensing opening.
 3. The periodicaldispensing machine of claim 1 wherein said access means comprises adispensing access door pivotally attached to said cabinet housing. 4.The periodical dispensing machine of claim 1 wherein said support meanscomprises an elevator platform means disposed substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said cabinet housing.
 5. Theperiodical dispensing machine of claim 1 wherein said roller means isrotatably attached to the lower portion of said support frame, saidexpansion spring attached at one end to a portion of said support frameand at the opposite end to said elevator platform means, a flexibleinterconnecting means disposed to interconnect the opposite end to saidelevator platform means, said expansion spring disposed to engage saidroller means along the mid-portion thereof to form a substantiallyU-shaped contour in said expansion spring.
 6. The periodical dispensingmachine of claim 1 wherein said positioning means further includesrelease means in operative engagement with said bias means, saidelevator platform means movAbly mounted relative to said cabinet housingby means of said bias means whereby removal of a periodical from saiddispensing opening is permitted.
 7. The periodical dispensing machine ofclaim 6 wherein said release means comprises a first sprocket means,sprocket actuating means operatively attached to said support frame,said first sprocket means arranged to engage said bias means and saidsprocket actuating means interconnected to said access means, saidsprocket actuating means disposed in engageable relation with said firstsprocket means to move said elevator means whereby dispensing of aperiodical from said dispensing machine when said dispensing accessmeans is open relative to said cabinet housing is accomplished.
 8. Theperiodical dispensing machine of claim 7 wherein said sprocket actuatingmeans comprises a ratchet means coupled to said first sprocket means andpawl means pivotally fixed to an actuating member, said ratchet meansmovably disposed to move into and out of operative engagement with saidsprocket means upon movement of said cabinet housing.
 9. The periodicaldispensing machine of claim 8 wherein said release means furtherincludes cam means affixed to said frame and bias means connectedbetween said cam means and said actuating member such that said pawl isoperatively disengaged from said ratchet when said access door is closedrelative to said cabinet housing and in operative engagement with saidratchet rotating said sprocket means relative to said support frame tomove said elevator platform means relative to said cabinet housing andsaid dispensing opening means to permit dispensing a periodical.
 10. Theperiodical dispensing machine of claim 9 wherein said support framecomprises an upper and lower support member held in fixed positionrelative to each other by rigid interconnecting members and wherein saiddispensing machine further includes a pair of substantially parallelguide rails attached to opposite sides of said upper and lower supportmembers, said elevator platform means includes a pair of elevator guidesattached to opposite sides thereof, each said elevator guides disposedto engage one of said guide rails to guide the vertical movement of saidelevator platform means.
 11. The periodical dispensing machine of claim10 wherein each of said elevator guides comprises at least two guiderollers held in fixed spaced relation to each other by a cross member,said spaced relation being such that said rollers engage opposite sidesof said guide rails.
 12. The periodical dispensing machine of claim 11wherein said release means includes a second sprocket means attached tosaid support frame in substantially the same vertical plane relative tosaid first sprocket means, said second sprocket means arranged relativeto said guide rollers to control the vertical movement of said guiderollers to control the vertical movement of said elevator platformmeans.
 13. The periodical dispensing machine of claim 4 wherein saidcabinet housing includes an opening in the top thereof and furtherincludes a loading access door pivotally attached to said cabinethousing, to permit access to said cabinet housing through said opening,said loading access door arranged relative to said periodical supportmeans whereby periodicals are loaded onto said periodical support meanswhen said loading access door is open relative to said housing.